Founded in 1962 by Robert and Marie Gray, St. John was inspired by a romantic whim. Marie, then a model who used the surname St. John professionally, wanted to raise money for upcoming their honeymoon. She designed and knit a sample dress for Robert, an apparel salesman, to show a store buyer, and he came back with orders for almost 200 of the style. The company they formed has become synonymous with elegant, versatile knit suits that appeal to the executive womanHillary Rodham Clinton, Diane Sawyer, and Madeleine Albright have all been patrons of the brand.